The Auckland Chronicle. Thursday, November 7th, 1844.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 66, 7 November 1844, Page 2

The Auckland Chronicle. Thursday, November 7th, 1844.

Th£ recent measures and rapid changes in the internal policy of the Colony are now generally conceded to be the last hopes of a change in its affairs and prospects. The whole former system, with regard to subjects most vitally im j>ortant— Land Claims,—Purchase and Price of Land,—and Taxation,—is totally Reversed; and as that system was fast listening the Colony, with all the settlers Ao utter ruin, all classes are naturally excited with hop 1 , that so soon as the intelligence is circulated in the neighbouring colonies, and reaches England, brighter prospects will aiise for those who may be able to weather the difficulties and losses

conseqi-ut on the former p<?mrci ;tis system of the Local Government*

Bat tru» as it tmty be, that much benefit will eie long arise from these interest illg changes, yet n■•flection on past events and present circumstances w:ll suggest that the siitleis, already located in liie Colony, may contribute, not a little, to give an impulse to its dawning piospetiiy by their own in a imiiy and exeitions. It cannot be denied by those who have witnessed ami calmly* r« fleeted on the Htaie of society in the colony from its earliest days, that ihete I.as not existed a spirit of social leeling and cordiality among its inhabitants. The origin may bo traced to the ridiculous attempt to confer an Aristocratic caste ou those in the employ of the Government on its fi;st establishment here. It can well be remembered, how those •• Drest in a little hrtef authority,"

Considered all others as an inferior order of beings, and indeed were disposed to regard and treat the settlers, for the most part, as those of a penal colony.

The infatuation and excitement that then prevailed at the Land Sales, totally engrossed the time, thoughts and feelings lof the settlers, and the anticipation of injdividual rapid large fortunes rendered all joyous as well as indifferent to the concerns of others. But so soon as a reverse took place in the affairs and prospects of the Colony from the | lolly and rashness of giving such enormous prices for the Lands, added to the injurious policy and measures of the Government, —then different feelings were engendered,—each sheltered himself uuder the greater imprudence aud credulity of [ibis neighbour and sought some relief from Ibis own disappoiutment and losses in discovering and spreading the misfortunes of others. Thus has sprung up a prevalent (morbid taste for detraction : an invidious Jjealousy, and an unmanly, illiberal practice of insidiously circulating and expoi ling the weaknesses and follies of others. Be it remembered, that the success of any individual, in a community, must in some

'degree, contribute to the welfare of the Whole, and the prosperity of all is best and (soonest insured by individual forbearance and kindness, and mutual interchange of /good offices and assistance.

To all classes of society these observations will apply, but to the Agricultural Settlers, at the present juncture, we would more especially recommend unanimity and

good fellowship. The chief obstacle : the first high cost—to the cultivation of land i m ° is now removed. Land may be now easily obained from Claimants, with good Title in small as well as large quantites without purchasing from Natives at risk and uncertainty of any Title at all. However, there are many who have beyond their own personal labour, but limited means, even to apply to cultivation after purchase; but, if such were cordially and freely to assist each other in clearing, fencing, ploughing &c, the prosperity of all would be greatly promoted. Much might be done for the benefit of the whole colony, it the example of the farmers i.u Scotland and Canada was followed in New Zealand, In Scotland a farmer going into a new locality and entering on a farm, is welcomed by those around and teceives earnest of their good feeling as neighbours, by their sending teams for a day's ploughing and thus, at once, he is started on his new land, and in a space of time which his own individual means would render impossible. In Canada, in a similar manner, when a person locates, the surrounding settlers assemble, on an appointed day to what is termed a *' Bee," and assist the new comer in felling and clearing and erecting his loghouse. If such good practices were followed in this colony, the present barren wastes would soon wear a different aspect atid grain fully sufficient for internal consumption be produced. Instead of buying large tracts from the Natives and dreaming over the probable future value of them :—we would recommend persons to obtain first moderate areas, and cultivate them by their own means and by interchange of labour and assistance with others. The labour of one or two individuals, only, on primitive land in this colony, makes but slow progress and it j is this fact, probably, that disheartens and \ prevents many Irom following agricnltu- ' ral pursuits. For instance I—in cleasing' hush, grubbing roots, &c, the task is very laborious and wearisome; and months would he occupied by one, in biinginginto good cultivable state a very small area of Land ; but the united efforts aud strength of six or eight willing hands, exciting each other in their lafrriir, would in a very short time effect the same work. This practice would enable many to avail themselves fully of this season of the year, in breaking up much fresh ground, to lie fallow until the winter, a point of essential importance 'n cultivang in New Zealand. It would, also, be beneficial to every class of Agriculturists ; for some have oxen, some are expert in one branch of husbandry,-some in another,—and thus, by mutual exchange of their knowledge and labour, each would obtain what he required on j his own farm, and very soon increase his pecuniary means by the additional product from greater quantity of his cultivated land, We have thrown out these few hints, with a desire to impress on the Agriculturists, as well as others, the advantage of exercising social aßd kind feelings, and of contributing to the well doing of others. If the Colony does henceforth prosper, under the new order of things, no class will more greatly share that prosperity than the Farmers, and we trust that the day is not far distant, when New Zealand will abound with flourishing substantial Yeomen, dwelling in comfort and independence on their own estates, surrounded by happy contented Peasan» try, each regarding the other as indispensible for the welfare of both. '